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Suggested Itineraries
Family Day
Day 1
A.M./P.M. - Experience thrills and splashes at Busch Gardens Europe and Water Country USA. Grab a bite to eat at one of the parks before heading back to your Newport News hotel for the night.
Day 2
A.M. - Begin your visit at the Virginia Living Museum. Experience more habitats, wildlife and plant species than could ever be encountered in a lifetime of outdoor adventures. Stroll on the elevated boardwalk, see a living replica of a Cypress Swamp and an Appalachian mountain cove all in the same spot!
P.M. - Grab a quick lunch and then head over to the Peninsula Fine Arts Center (Pfac). Pfac allows its guests to explore the arts with ever-changing arrays of exhibitions. The Center is especially “kid-friendly” with varied hands-on activities to educate and excite its young visitors about art. Be sure to check the calendar of classes and perhaps register for one on your next visit!
P.M. - Visit Newport News Park, the largest park east of the Mississippi, and enjoy an afternoon of archery, golf, nature displays, historical artifacts, hands-on activities, fishing, biking, playgrounds, strolls or perhaps canoe or paddleboat rides. Enjoy your dinner picnic style in one of the park’s picnic shelters.
P.M. - Catch a movie or a show at one of our city’s fine venues before tucking in for the night at your Newport News hotel.
Day 3
Choose from the following options, depending upon your departure schedule:
- Visit The Mariners' Museum and learn about the sea, ships, boats and over 3,000 years of nautical history. See the turret of the Civil War ironclad USS Monitor and stand on the deck of a life-sized replica, which is currently being displayed and restored at the museum. And don’t forget to stop at the Museum’s new International Small Craft Center with its amazing watercrafts from around the world.
- Visit the Virginia Air & Space Center in Hampton. Make sure you watch one of their incredible IMAX films. Treat yourself to ice cream at nearby stores before taking a ride on their 1920 Carousel.
A Mile Apart, Four Attractions, One Day
A.M. - What better way to start your vacation than at the Virginia Living Museum. Stop at the touch tank and feel the wonders of the underwater world or take a walk outside on the boardwalk to see red wolves, river otters, birds and more, all in a natural wooded setting. Watch a pelican feeding, or explore the spooky world of an underground cave.
A.M. - Next, head over to the Peninsula SPCA Petting Zoo and Exotic Animal Sanctuary. The kids will love the opportunity to pet the deer and goats and to meet a tiger and even a leopard!
P.M. - Enjoy a tasty lunch at The Mariners’ Museum Café. The Museum offers visitors a look into the world of seafaring adventure. Go to see the turret of the Civil War ironclad USS Monitor, which is currently being displayed and restored at the museum. And don’t forget to stop at the Museum’s new International Small Craft Center with its amazing watercrafts from around the world.
P.M. - Watch your kids create their own masterpiece, make music with shapes or stage their own puppet show in the Hands On For Kids interactive gallery at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center. View one of the many changing exhibits and pick up a souvenir piece of artwork from a local artist in The Gallery Shop. Catch a show at the Ferguson Center for the Arts to end your day with a bang!
Cultural Corridor
Day 1
A.M. - As you are already at the Newport News Visitor Center, drive through the Newport News Park and be wowed at the beauty of the scenery around you. Take a break from driving, get out and stretch your legs, while letting the peace and tranquility of your surroundings relax and refresh you before traveling to your first destination, Virginia’s Animal Attraction: the Virginia Living Museum.
Here you can explore Virginia’s heritage from the mountains to the sea with live exhibits that actually look back at you! Experience a steamy Cypress swamp, a cool mountain cave, native plant gardens, wild animals, including wolves, deer, otters and lots more.
Take a lunchtime break at one of the many dining options located nearby.
P.M. - Refueled after a tasty lunch, travel the short distance to The Mariners’ Museum, America’s National Maritime Museum and home of the USS Monitor Center.
Here you can view prized artifacts that celebrate the spirit of seafaring adventure, including authentic pieces recovered from the iconic Civil War ironclad, the USS Monitor.
The Museum also houses changing and permanent exhibits, including the International Small Craft Center and what may be considered the rare jewel of the Museum, The Miniature Ships of August F. Crabtree.
For the shoppers in your party, the Museum has a nautically-themed gift shop, brimming with merchandise ranging from books to t-shirts and jewelry to toys.
Upon leaving the Museum, you will notice the Peninsula Fine Arts Center next door, and it is here that your day will begin tomorrow.
The ocean is the theme for dinner, as no visit to Newport News would be complete without sampling our seafood (see listings in our Restaurant Guide). After dinner spend the remainder of the evening enjoying a world-class performance at the American Theater, located in the neighboring city of Hampton. Return to your Newport News Hotel for the night.
Day 2
A.M. - Travel to the Peninsula Fine Arts Center (Pfac), for a morning of art appreciation and exploration. With its dynamic exhibitions, which change throughout the year, the Center is a treat for your visual senses and will likely stimulate your creative genes.
An onsite gift shop is the perfect place to pick up unique gift for friends and family, as well as something for yourself to remind you of your visit here.
The Pfac is located on the grounds of the spectacular Mariners’ Museum Park, which is where you’ll spend the remainder of your morning. Stroll leisurely through the park and marvel at art of a different genre: Mother Nature’s art, everywhere you turn.
After your walk, pick up lunch to go from the Compass Café located inside The Mariners’ Museum.
P.M. - Your cultural excursion will pick up again in the evening with a visit to the city’s extraordinary Ferguson Center for the Arts. Featuring performances from world-class artists from ballet to comedy, country music to orchestral, the Ferguson Center is Virginia’s new home for the finest artists in the world.
Prior to your evening of arts and entertainment, spend the afternoon exploring one of the city’s most cultural shopping areas: Port Warwick.
Five monumental works of public art can be found here, gracing the urban landscape.
Along with outdoor art, Port Warwick houses an assortment of specialty stores and restaurants, which makes it the perfect spot for a light evening meal before heading to the Ferguson Center for the Arts for an evening performance.
Retire to your Newport News Hotel for the night.
Day 3
A.M./P.M.
Choose from the following options, depending upon your departure schedule, in our neighboring city of Norfolk:
- Chrysler Museum of Art: here you will discover over 30,000 pieces of art spanning 5000 years.
- Harrison Opera House: home to the Virginia Opera, this lavishly renovated historic venue houses an intimate 1,632 seat theater.
- Virginia Stage Company: A National Historic landmark, the Virginia Stage Company offers classic dramas, comedies and Broadway shows.
- NorVA: Originally a 1920 movie palace, the NorVA hosts a diverse array of entertainers and performers, which have included, Ringo Starr, Matchbox 20 and Stone Temple Pilots.
The Great Outdoors
Day 1
A.M. - Upon arrival in Newport News head straight to one of the city’s most picturesque spots, Newport News Park, where your outdoor adventure can begin. With an abundance of activities available in the park including: hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, disc golf, archery and more (rental equipment is available for many activities), it would be easy to spend your entire stay in just this one spot. But there is so much more!
P.M. - Take a break from adventure for lunch at one of the many restaurants nearby. After a hearty meal to replenish your energy levels, travel the short distance to another of Newport News’ favorite adventure areas, the 60-acre Huntington Park.
Overlooking the James River, Huntington Park caters to all lovers of the outdoors (even those who just want to relax on a warm, sandy beach!) with its wide variety of activities, which include: swimming, boating, tennis, fishing and an amazing 13,000 square-foot adventure playground, "Fort Fun," for the kids.
Following an afternoon filled with fun recreational activities, slow the pace a little with a leisurely stroll around the park’s impressive, sweet-smelling Rose Garden, which features over 45 different rose varieties!
Dine right on the banks of the James River while watching the sun set over the water, before retiring to your Newport News hotel for the night.
Day 2
A.M. - Start your day at The Mariners’ Museum Park, a 550-acre woodland park featuring the five-mile Noland Trail around Lake Maury. Depending on your energy level, you can run or hike the scenic trail, rent paddle boats and canoes for fishing (depending on the time of year), or stroll at a leisurely pace and enjoy the picturesque scenery, which includes the famous Lions Bridge that provides a breathtaking view of the James River and is one of 14 bridges located in the park. Children (and adults alike) will also enjoy the wooden play ships, specifically designed to be climbed upon!
No need to travel far for lunch as The Mariners’ Museum recently opened its very own eatery, The Compass Café, where you will enjoy a light and delicious lunch.
Before leaving for the afternoon’s activities, visit The Museum gift shop, where you can search for your very own treasure to remind you of your stay in Newport News.
P.M. - Things get a little wild after lunch as you head to the Virginia Living Museum where their great outdoors is inhabited with an abundance of wildlife. Stroll the ¾ mile outdoor elevated boardwalk and come face-to-face with otters, red wolves, coastal birds, deer and other native wild animals in naturalized habitats, making you feel as though you are on an outdoor safari!
Turn your safari adventure into a learning experience as you gain insight into the habits of the animals housed here and discover how they would survive in the wild.
The adventure continues at the Virginia Living Museum, whose unique design also brings the great outdoors inside! Only here does the great outdoors become the great “indoors” as you experience a steamy Cypress swamp, a cool mountain cave and the underwater world of the Chesapeake Bay all located inside the Museum!
If time permits, and you want even more of an outdoor-safari experience, head across the road to the Peninsula S.P.C.A. Exotic Sanctuary & Petting Zoo, where you’ll meet, amongst other animals, an African mandrill, a Siberian Tiger and a black leopard!
Being out on a safari-type adventure is sure to work up an appetite, so before returning to your Newport News hotel for the night, select a dining spot for the evening.
Day 3
A.M./P.M. Choose from the following options, depending upon your departure schedule:
- Golf: If you have golfers in the family, they’ll not want to miss the opportunity to play on at least one of Newport News’ great golf courses, including the 4-star rated (by Golf Digest) Deer Run Course. In addition there are also the Cardinal Course, which features some of the best greens in the Tidewater area, and the course at Kiln Creek Golf Club and Resort, which features eight water holes. As well as great golf, much to the delight of most golfers, the courses promise guest appearances from an array of wildlife, who appear unfazed by the golf carts and players.
- Disc Golf: Regardless of age, just about everyone can participate and enjoy disc golf, which makes it the perfect group activity. With an 18-hole regulation and championship course located in Newport News Park, and rental equipment available, disc golf would be a great outdoors choice to end your stay in Newport News, as you’ll enjoy the beauty of Newport News Park one more time before you head home.
- Waterside Retreat: Complete your stay in Newport News with a visit to Harwood’s Mill, located at the southeast end of Newport News Park. Here you have the opportunity to rent a boat, fish, hike, mountain bike or just relax at the water’s edge and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. It’s also the perfect spot for a picnic lunch before starting your journey home.
Girls Just Want to Have Fun...and Shop, Explore and Relax
Day 1
A.M. - From the Newport News Visitor Center, travel east on Jefferson Avenue towards City Center and within minutes you will be flanked by retail outlets, specialty stores, restaurants and more. Stop at Jefferson Commons, where you can enjoy gourmet coffee and a snack before exploring the variety of stores located here. Load up your car and head down the street to Patrick Henry Mall for some more retail therapy. Take a lunchtime shopping break and refer to your Restaurant Guide to discover the multitude of dining options located along Jefferson Avenue.
P.M. - Refueled after a tasty lunch, continue heading east on Jefferson Avenue to Port Warwick and the London-inspired Styron Square. Here you will be greeted with a collection of specialty stores, boutiques and exclusive eateries (should you need an afternoon snack or refreshing drink) that will appeal to shoppers of all ages.
Complete the afternoon with a five-minute drive to neighboring City Center at Oyster Point, where you will enjoy a unique open-air shopping district which also boasts a breathtaking five acre fountain.
After a full day of shopping, check into your Newport News hotel where you can unpack, unload your purchases and freshen up ready for a “Girls Night Out” back in City Center. Choose from the exciting and diverse assortment of restaurants and cafes in City Center, many with outdoor seating options, and enjoy an evening of good food and company.
Day 2
A.M. - Grab your city map and prepare for a whirlwind tour of Newport News’ museum shops to pick up some truly unique souvenirs and gifts.
Start at the Virginia Living Museum, whose gift shop is brimming with nature themed merchandise ranging from stuffed animals to extraordinary artwork.
Make your next stop The Mariners’ Museum, for everything nautical (but nice), then the neighboring Peninsula Fine Arts Center, where unique gifts, including small works of art, are plentiful.
Next, explore the retail shops located in two of Newport News’ historic homes, Endview Plantation and Lee Hall Mansion, where history influences the items available for purchase.
Got a military buff on your shopping list? Newport News has the perfect museum spots to shop for them too: the U.S. Army Transportation Museum and the Virginia War Museum.
After your mammoth museum shopping spree, relax and enjoy an international-flavored lunch at one of the city’s many ethnic restaurants.
P.M. - Treat your shopping feet (and the rest of your body, mind and soul) to a well-deserved break by visiting one of Newport News’ exquisite spas. Allow yourself to be pampered from head to toe with treatments ranging from hot stone therapy to reflexology. Let your mind drift away amidst the scents of essential oils while your body relaxes beneath healing hands. Awaken to feel refreshed and rejuvenated ready for a relaxing evening with your friends.
End the day with a light meal followed by a movie or a performance at one of Newport News’ unique and varied theaters before returning to your Newport News hotel for the night.
Day 3
A.M./P.M. - Make the most of today by choosing from the following options, depending upon your departure schedule:
- Stay in the Newport News area and drive to Historic Hilton Village, where you can casually stroll the quaint streets and explore a variety of specialty retailers, including antique stores, boutiques and restaurants.
- Head west to Williamsburg, where you can split your day between two major shopping areas: Prime Outlets, featuring many top brand retailers, and the Williamsburg Pottery Factory, where each year millions of bargain hunters from around the world visit for a truly unique shopping experience.
- Head east to Norfolk and shop under one roof at the MacArthur Shopping Center, then visit Granby Street where you will find a wide selection of restaurants, pubs and entertainment.
Golf, Golf & More Golf
Day 1
A.M. - Begin your golfing expedition by stopping at the James River Country Club, established in 1932, which houses the first golf museum of the United States.
A.M. - Enjoy an early lunch at the Deer Run Grille Restaurant before you begin your first day of golfing. Be sure to check out the Pro-shop for any last minute items you may need.
P.M. - Start out at the Deer Run Golf Course located in scenic Newport News Park. This 18-hole course, designed by Ed Ault and given a "3-star" rating from Golf Digest in 1996, features some of the best greens in the Tidewater area. Approximate "driving" time, 10 minutes. Par 72. While you take your first swing, your family can enjoy our magnificent 8000-acre municipal park with more than 30 miles of hiking and biking trails, bicycle rentals (and helmets), playgrounds, archery, boating, and much, much more.
P.M. - Check into a Newport News hotel before heading to Cozzy's Comedy Club for dinner and some knee-slapping entertainment. If you've got any extra energy, stop by Heartbreak Alley where you can dance the night away in one room, or sit back, relax and soak up the atmosphere in another.
Day 2
A.M. - Enjoy breakfast at your hotel or stop by the Belgian Waffle and Steak House before hitting the greens.
A.M. - Start your game at the Kiln Creek Golf and Country Club in Newport News. This 27-hole course, recognized as "one of the five best in Virginia" in 1995, offers eight water holes and more than 100 sand traps. Approximate "driving" time, 10 minutes. Par 72. As you master your game, your family can enjoy the splendors of the Virginia Living Museum, consisting of a 3000-gallon Ocean Tank, a touch tank, daily planetarium shows and a variety of outdoor exhibits. Also located just minutes away is The Mariners' Museum where you can view an unrivaled collection of maritime paraphernalia ranging from ship figureheads and a working steam engine to the internationally famous Crabtree Collection of Miniature Ships.
P.M. - Enjoy lunch at the Manchester Grill, conveniently located right at the Kiln Creek Country Club, while your family enjoys the tempting taste of bar-b-que at Bodine's Hickory Smoked Bar-B-Que.
P.M. - Finish up your challenging day of golf, or, if you're a real enthusiast, try your hand on Kiln Creek's 18-hole Championship Course before heading back to your hotel. While you polish off your last put, your family can enjoy petting and feeding the animals at the S.P.C.A. Petting Zoo, where a collection of exotic and domestic animals ranging from emus to lions are available for viewing.
P.M. - Enjoy dinner at the Red Maple Inn where you can experience the delights of Southern and French cooking at its finest.
Day 3
A.M. - Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before beginning your golf finale.
A.M./P.M. -Head down to Hampton to experience a unique course offering three distinctive nines: the Woods, the Lakes and the Links. The Hampton Golf Course features bentgrass greens, rolling terrain and spectacular par 3's. Approximate "driving" time, 15 minutes. Par 35,36,35. And for your family's entertainment, how about the Virginia Air & Space Center, the official visitor center for NASA Langley. They can take a trip through time and space from 17th century Virginia to the future colonization of Mars.
P.M. - Enjoy a late lunch on the Hampton waterfront, then take a ride on a completely restored 1920 carousel at Hampton Carousel Park before you head for home.
History of America
Civil War
Day 1
A.M. - Begin your day at the Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe in Hampton. This Museum tells the history of the fort and some of its famous occupants. During the Civil War, Fort Monroe was a Union-held bastion in the center of a Confederate state. Learn how “Freedom’s Fortress” helped shelter thousands of slave refugees and see the cell where Confederate President Jefferson Davis was imprisoned.
A.M. - Be wowed when you visit Hampton University and the Hampton University Museum. The University is one of the nation’s top-ranked private universities. The Museum is located on its campus and is the oldest African-American museum in the United States.
P.M. - Drive back to Newport News to enjoy lunch before you journey back in time at the Monitor and Merrimack Overlook, where the CSS Virginia (formerly the USS Merrimack) and the USS Monitor battled to a draw.
P.M. - Check into your Newport News hotel and settle in for the night.
Day 2
A.M. - Enjoy a hearty breakfast at one of our restaurants on your way to the Lee Hall Mansion. Completed in 1859, Lee Hall was home to affluent planter Richard Decauter Lee. One of the last remaining antebellum homes on the Virginia Peninsula, Lee Hall Mansion was used as headquarters by Confederate Generals Joseph E. Johnson and John B. Magruder during April and May of 1862.
A.M. - Minutes away is another historical home you won’t want to miss, Endview Plantation. This 74-acre site features re-enactments and Civil War living history programs. Built in 1769 by Colonel William Hardwood, Jr., Endview has experienced the ordeal of three wars: the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and the Civil War. It has been restored to its 1862 appearance.
P.M. - After lunch, enjoy an afternoon tour of The Mariners’ Museum and the USS Monitor Center where you will explore over 500 years of seafaring adventure! In over 60,000 square feet of exhibition space, you can escape to the eras of early exploration, the conservation of the artifacts from the famous Civil War ironclad, USS Monitor.
Day 3
Choose from the following options, depending upon your departure schedule:
- Head to Newport News Park and stroll around the site of the Battle of Dam No.1 where some of the most extensive Confederate earthworks are located. This battle, which took place April 16, 1862, was Union Major General McClellan’s only attempt to break through the Confederate defenses along the Warwick River. While at the Park, rent a paddleboat or canoe for a relaxing boat ride.
- Journey back in time when you visit Young’s Mill and the Warwick County Courthouse, which was occupied by Unites under the command of Union Major General McClellan on April 5, 1862.
- Visit the Virginia War Museum which highlights military history through uniforms, insignias, vehicles, accoutrements, weapons, propaganda posters and more.
History/Military
Day 1
A.M. - Take a picturesque drive to the Monitor Merrimack Overlook and take a moment to enjoy this spectacular view of the Hampton Roads Harbor while you relive the Battle of the Ironclads. Then head over to the Victory Arch which pays tribute to the heroism of the Peninsula’s men and women in the military.
A.M. - From there head over to The Mariners’ Museum and glimpse into maritime history. Also, be sure to visit The Monitor Center. Experience what the historic Battle of the Ironclads was really like in a 360 degree multimedia presentation, view top of the line conservation labs, see the famous turret from the USS Monitor and stand on the deck of a full scale replica of the ironclad.
Noon - Dine at the Compass Café located in The Mariners’ Museum and check out the gift shop for historic souvenirs.
P.M. - Visit Lee Hall Mansion and Endview Plantation to discover more mid-19th century history. Endview Plantation served as a hospital during the siege of 1862 and Lee Hall Mansion was used as Confederate Major General Magruder's headquarters during part of the Peninsula Campaign.
P.M. - Enjoy a hearty dinner of southern cooking at one of the many eateries nearby.
P.M. - Call ahead of time and reserve your seats to experience a performance at historic Yoder Barn Theatre. The theatre, which was nominated for best small performance venue in Hampton Roads by Port Folio Weekly Magazine, is a 60+ year-old historic dairy barn that has been preserved as a theatre.
P.M. - Rest in your Newport News hotel, so you are ready for more adventures tomorrow.
Day 2
A.M./P.M. - Explore the beginnings of America. Travel to Jamestown and Yorktown and experience the beginning and ending of the colonization of America. Start in Yorktown with a tour of the Yorktown Battlefield and a visit to the Victory Monument and then travel back in time to Jamestown via the Colonial Parkway. Enjoy a bite to eat in a restaurant with spectacular views of the York River. While in Jamestown be sure to experience the living history and interactive exhibits. On display are replicas of James Fort, a Powhatan Indian Village and the three ships that brought the first permanent English colonists to America in 1607.
P.M. - Experience the beautiful scenery of the Colonial Parkway as you travel to Williamsburg. Enjoy a stroll around town and dinner at one of the city’s historic Taverns.
P.M. - Head back to Newport News for rest and relaxation in your hotel.
Day 3
Choose from the following options, depending upon your departure schedule:
- Visit the Virginia War Museum and view outstanding collections of personal artifacts, a portion of the outer wall from Dachau Concentration Camp, a section of the Berlin Wall and an extensive propaganda poster collection.
- Visit Newport News Park where the Battle of Dam No. 1 occurred and echoes of gunfire were heard.
- Visit the the U.S. Army Transportation Museum at Fort Eustis, where you will discover, amongst other unusual exhibits, a truck that walks and a ship that flies.
African-American Heritage
Day 1
A.M. - Begin your African-American heritage exploration by journeying into the lives of two prominent Newport News citizens: Joseph Thomas Newsome and James A. Fields.
Start at The Newsome House Museum & Cultural Center, where Joseph Thomas Newsome resided. The son of former slaves, he became a respected lawyer, newspaper editor, churchman and civic leader. When he died in 1942, a segregated city honored him by closing the city courts on the day of his funeral.
Located just minutes away is the James A. Fields house, where Fields, who was born a slave in Hanover County before escaping with his brother to Fort Monroe in 1862, lived and ran his business. He was one of the first twenty pupils to enter Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute (now Hampton University) in 1868 and graduated from Howard University’s law school in 1881. Break for lunch at one of the nearby eateries.
P.M. - Spend the afternoon at the Virginia War Museum where, amongst other exhibits, you can explore Marches Toward Freedom. This gallery honors the contributions of African-Americans to America's military history since 1775 to the Gulf War. One such story is that of James Bowser, a free black who fought for freedom in the Revolutionary War. Generations of his family have lived in the Tidewater/Hampton Roads area for over 200 years.
If time allows, travel the short distance to The Mariners’ Museum, where you will learn more about African-American heritage through stories and exhibitions, including that of Siah Carter, a young runaway slave turned permanent USS Monitor crew member. More African-American history can be explored in the the Chesapeake Bay Gallery and the International Small Craft Center.
Choose a restaurant for dinner, before relaxing for the evening in your Newport News Hotel.
Day 2
A.M. - Today you will travel to neighboring Hampton where you will tour the Hampton University Museum and campus located on Hampton's scenic waterfront. This Museum is the oldest African-American museum in the United States and offers the South's largest collection of multicultural art including a rare display of African pieces.
Founded in 1868 as the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, for the education of newly freed slaves, the now, Hampton University is home to six National Historic Landmarks. Also located here is the magnificent Emancipation Oak, which holds great significance as an African-American historical marker.
Enjoy lunch waterside in Hampton, before heading to nearby Fort Monroe for the afternoon.
P.M. - Spend the afternoon on a walking and discovery tour of Fort Monroe where Major General Benjamin Butler initiated the policy of declaring slaves who ran away from their masters "contraband of war." Visit the Casemate Museum and see the cell where Former Confederate President Jefferson Davis was imprisoned after the Civil War.
Return to Newport News and start your evening by dining on the city’s signature food: seafood! Refer to your Restaurant Guide for restaurants specializing in this sumptuous fare.
Before retreating to your Newport News Hotel for the night, take an evening stroll around the impressive five-acre lighted fountain located in City Center at Oyster Point and visit the specialty stores adjoining it.
Day 3
A.M./P.M. - Choose from the following options, depending on your departure schedule:
- Using the map located on the inside of your African-American Heritage brochure, plan a driving tour through Newport News, incorporating the historical points of interest listed that you have not yet visited, including Lee Hall Mansion, Endview Plantation, Young’s Mill and more. Tailor your drive to your departure schedule to ensure you see as much as possible in the time you have.
- Travel to nearby Colonial Williamsburg, where you will feel as though you have stepped back in time to the 18th century. Here you will learn how slaves arrived in the area and, through living exhibits, will discover the contrast between the lives of slaves and free blacks.
- Visit the Virginia Air & Space Center in neighboring Hampton, where the world-famous Tuskegee Airmen, the first black aviators to fly for the U.S in wartime combat missions, are honored with permanent exhibits.
Holidays
"See" Star Lights During the Holidays
Day 1
A.M. - Set sail to a holiday shopper's paradise at Coleman's Nursery in Portsmouth. Take a holiday trolley tour through historic Olde Towne in Portsmouth.
P.M. - Take a ferry ride over to Norfolk and visit Waterside for more shopping. Enjoy a holiday festive luncheon with entertainment aboard the Spirit of Norfolk.
P.M. - That evening, experience a holiday tradition at the Dominion Theater at the Founders Inn in Virginia Beach, where cinematic fantasy comes to life on stage.
P.M. - Check into a Newport News hotel.
Day 2
A.M. - Enjoy breakfast in your hotel or one of Newport News' fine restaurants.
A.M. - Visit Colonial Williamsburg for an 18th century holiday decoration workshop. While you're there, have lunch in one of their taverns.
P.M. - Next, explore the mystery of the magi when you view the traditional holiday planetarium show "Star of Wonder" at the Virginia Living Museum.
P.M. - Call the Peninsula Community Theater in Historic Hilton Village, Yoder Barn, or the Boxwood Inn to see if entertainment is scheduled during your visit. Or, take in a first run movie and some more shopping at Patrick Henry Mall.
P.M. - Voyage through Celebration in Lights in Newport News Park and enjoy a fanciful holiday lights display.
Day 3
A.M. - After breakfast, visit Hampton's St. John's Church and see their holiday decorations. Later, stroll through downtown Hampton and explore the unique shops. You're sure to find something special!
A.M. - Depart for Fort Monroe for a driving tour and a brief walking tour of the Casemate Museum.
P.M. - Enjoy lunch at Mike's Place for a little taste of the Irish before heading over to Artful Giving at the Peninsula Fine Arts Museum, where you'll find the perfect "unique" gift for giving!
P.M. - Before returning home, you must explore 3,000 years of maritime history at The Mariners' Museum. Experience a nautical adventure of a lifetime!
Just The Two Of Us
Day 1
A.M. - Experience life in the 18th century as you explore Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia's restored capital which presents a variety of homes, shops and special activities.
P.M. - Enjoy lunch at one of Williamsburg’s many fine taverns before you begin to explore Jamestown and Yorktown. Visit the beginning and the end of colonization in America. For a beautiful drive, take the Colonial Parkway between the cities of the historic triangle.
P.M. - Head over to Norfolk and watch the sun set on the Hampton Roads Harbor as you take a dinner cruise aboard the Spirit of Norfolk or the American Rover.
P.M. - Check into your Newport News hotel and cuddle up for the night.
Day 2
A.M. - Treat yourselves this morning and enjoy room service for breakfast. Continue the pampering with a couple’s massage at one of the city’s many spas or salons. Then, take a romantic stroll around the fountains in City Center at Oyster Point, or enjoy the fountains from a quiet bench. Enjoy lunch at one of the varied eateries located in City Center.
P.M. - Walk hand-in-hand following the shoreline of Lake Maury on the five-mile Noland Trail. Pass by the Lion’s Bridge, a dam that provides a breathtaking view of the James River – a perfect place to enjoy the Museum Park.
P.M. - Head across the James River Bridge to Smithfield and stop for lunch at the Smithfield Station. Enjoy the shops on the boardwalk and downtown. Next, ghost tales and mysteries unfold at Bacon's Castle in Surry. This is the oldest documented brick house in English North America. After a visit to Edward's Ham Shoppe, return to Newport News and rest in one of our luxurious rooms.
Day 3
Choose from the following options, depending upon your departure schedule:
- Visit Berkeley Plantation, site of the first official Thanksgiving. Berkeley Plantation is located at 12602 Harrison Landing Road, Charles City, VA.
- Visit Evelynton Plantation, home to the Ruffin family since 1847 (Edmund Ruffin fired the first shot of the Civil War). Evelynton Plantation is located at 6701 John Tyler Highway, Charles City, VA
- Visit Sherwood Forest Plantation, the longest framed house in America at 301 feet. Sherwood Forest Plantation is located on State Rt. 5, 14501 John Tyler Highway, Charles City, VA.
Ocean
Sand, Sun and Fun
Day 1
A.M. - Arrive and check in to a Newport News hotel. Begin your vacation on the sand in Virginia Beach. Stop in at the old Coast Guard Station and explore the history of the Atlantic. Or, if sand and surf do not interest you, see what’s under the water at the Virginia Marine Science Museum. Explore a rare sea turtle hatching lab, a harbor seal pool and a 300,000-gallon open ocean aquarium featuring sand sharks.
P.M. - Grab a bite to eat on the Boardwalk before heading back to your hotel in Newport News.
Day 2
A.M. - Visit The Mariners’ Museum for a glimpse into maritime history and the sea before heading outside to explore the Noland Trail. The trail is a beautiful five-mile walk. Much of it offers adventurers beautiful views of Lake Maury, and there is a spectacular view of the James River from the Lion’s Bridge. If you decide to forgo the whole trail there are paddleboats for beautiful tours of the lake.
P.M. - Learn about the creatures beneath the ocean, encounter creatures of the night, meet a bald eagle eye-to-eye or stroll the boardwalk along a wooded lake for an up-close safari into the lives of many native animals including raccoons, deer, wild turkeys, foxes and more at the Virginia Living Museum.
P.M. - Enjoy the fresh catch of the day at one of our seafood restaurants.
P.M. - Catch a movie or a performance at one of Newport News’ varied and unique venues before relaxing at your hotel.
Day 3
Choose from the following options, depending upon your departure schedule:
- Head to Newport News Park, where you can spend your time hiking one of the many picturesque trails; rent a canoe; sit and watch wildlife or play disc golf.
- Play a round of golf at either Deer Run Park or the Cardinal Course at the Newport News Golf Club. Enjoy an abundance of wildlife and breathtaking views as you make your way around the greens.
- Head to Huntington Park with its wide range of activities including: swimming, boating, tennis, fishing, and an amazing 13,000 square-foot adventure playground, “Fort-Fun,” for the kids.
